Key cutter

ABSTRACT

Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of longitudinally spaced notches in the bit of a key blank and including: a rotary cutter; apparatus for moving the key blank into engagement with the cutter and comprising a main carriage transversely movable toward and away from the cutter; a sub-carriage supported on the main carriage for longitudinal and transverse movement to preset the longitudinal position of the key blank relative to the cutter and the depth of cut to be made in the key blank when it is moved into engagement with the cutter, and micrometer means for gauging the relative longitudinal and transverse positions of the subcarriage and the main carriage to serve as a guide in presetting the position of the key blank and the depth of cut.

States cart [191 Uit Agius KEY CUTTER [76] Inventor:

Alpena, Mich [22] Filed: June 1, 1971 [21] App]. No 148,785

[52] US. Cl 90/13.05; 83/917 [51] Int. Cl......; B23c 3/35 [58] Field ofSearch 90/1305; 83/917 Primary Examiner-Francis S. Husar Attorney,Agent, or FirmLearman & McCulloch Frank P. Agius, 1027 Meyers Road,

[451 May 20, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT Key cutting apparatus for cutting aseries of longitudinally spaced notches in the bit of a key blank andincluding: a rotary cutter; apparatus for moving the key blank intoengagement with the cutter and comprising a main carriage transverselymovable toward and away from the cutter; a sub-carriage supported on themain carriage for longitudinal and transverse movement to preset thelongitudinal position of the key blank relative to the cutter and thedepth of cut to be made in the key blank when it is moved intoengagement with the cutter, and micrometer means for gauging therelative longitudinal and transverse positions of the subcarriage andthe main carriage to serve as a guide in presetting the position of thekey blank and the depth of cut 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures FJENTEB HAY20 M5 SHEET 10? 3 INVENTOR FRANK F? AGIUS ATTORNEYS mgmggwzoms 3,884,121

sum 3 UF 3 FIGB INVENTOR FRANK P AGIUS ATTORNEYS KEY CUTTER FIELD OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to key cutting apparatus for cuttingnotches in the bit of a key blank and, more particularly, to key cuttingapparatus which is adjustable to selectively cut a wide variety ofdifferent notches, having varying sizes and depths and positioned atvarying longitudinal intervals, in the bit of the key blank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Key cutting machines are of two generaltypes, either the duplicating type or the code cutting type. Duplicatingtype machines generally utilize a follower riding along the bittings ofan existing key to guide the path ofa cutter wheel which cuts a keyblank. Such duplicating machines are commonly found in drugstores,hardwares and other similar shops and are of no particular concern tothe present invention.

The present invention relates to code cutting type machines which areprimarily used by locksmiths to cut key blanks when there is no existingkey which can be duplicated. Codebooks are published listing the spacingand depths of cuts for keys which are utilized to open substantially alltypes of locks. By following the instructions in the codebooks, alocksmith can manually cut the proper notches in a key blank toduplicate a lost or misplaced key, but such manual cutting istime-consuming and expensive.

Machines which are particularly adapted to code cutting have beenprovided, but, the known machines are all of the type wherein codecutting is accomplished with preformed and replaceable cam plates ordiscs which are used to control the relative movement and positions ofthe key blank and the cutter. With these prior art machines, a set ofremovable discs is provided for each different type key. When a key fora particular lock is to be cut, the set of discs corresponding theretois placed on the machine and is used to control the relative travel of akey blank which is in cutting engagement with the cutter wheel such thatthe notches will be cut at the proper intervals and to the properdepths.

Because of the large number of lock manufacturers, and the large numberof different type locks manufactured by each manufacturer, a fullcomplement of such prior art code wheels or cam discs represents anexpensive investment and limits the portability of the prior artmachines. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention toprovide key cutting apparatus which does not employ cam discs or codewheels.

The prior art code type cutting machines employ cooperating cam and camfollower members and stop members which are repeatedly engaged. Thesemembers wear with repeated use so that continual adjustment must be madeto these members if the machine is to accurately cut a key blank. Thesemachines also utilize locking pins which are insertable into any one ofa plurality of preformed apertures, provided in each of the code wheels,to limit the travel of the key blank. After repeated use, theseapertures become worn and elongated so that the key blanks arepositioned with less precision and are thus inaccurately cut.Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide keycutting apparatus which will accurately cut a key blank throughout thelife of the machine and with a minimum of adjustment.

Keys, which are commonly referred to as flat keys, are cut withrectangular notches. There are no known code wheels or cam discsavailable for slotting flat keys. The customary procedure followed inslotting a flat key has been to clamp a key blank between a pair ofcarriage supported clamping blocks and move the key blank longitudinallyrelative to the cutter to a first slotting position. The key blank isthen unclamped and the bit of a master key, which is out along itsentire length to the desired depth of cut, is clamped between the pairof carriage supported clamping blocks. The key supporting carriage isthen moved toward the cutter until the master key engages the cutterwheel to determine the distance which the carriage must move to cut akey blank to the desired depth. The carriage is then returned to itsstarting position and a key blank is substituted for the master. Thecarriage is again moved forwardly the same distance as when the masterwas carried by the clamping blocks. This procedure is repeated for thecutting of each notch. Obviously, the procedure is quite time-consuming.Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideapparatus which can be utilized to quickly and accurately slot flatkeys.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide keycutting apparatus employing micrometer means to determine the depth ofcut and the spacing of the cuts.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide key cuttingapparatus which will cut a larger number ofdifferent type keys than havebeen cut on a single machine heretofore.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be pointedout or will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Apparatus constructed according to the presentinvention eliminates the necessity for providing substitute cam discs orcode wheels for each different type key to be cut and includes movablecutting means and a key supporting carriage means mounted for relativemovement transversely toward and away from each other to move a keyblank supported on the carriage into and out of engagement with thecutting means, key blank support means longitudinally and transverselytranslatable on the carriage means to preset, before the key blank ismoved into engagement with the cutting means, the longitudinal positionof the key blank on the carriage means and the depth to which the keyblank will be cut when the key blank is moved into engagement with thecutter, drive means for relatively moving the key blank support meanstransversely and longitudinally on the carriage means, and meansincluding graduated means movable in response to movement of said drivemeans for gauging the linear distance the carriage is translated by thedrive means to serve as a guide in presetting the relative positions ofthe key blank and cutting means. Endless spacing means, including aplurality of graduated scales, is provided for measuring the lineardistance that the support means moves longitudinally, and is movable inan endless path to dispose a selected one of the scales in measuringrelation with the carriage. A slotter wheel having cutting teeth withsubstantially parallel sides can be utilized to cut notches withsubstantially parallel sides in a flat key.

The present invention may more readily be described by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating apparatus constructed accordingto the present invention, part of a key supporting sub-carriage beingbroken away to more clearly illustrate an underlying translating screw;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG.1, parts of a key supporting subcarriage and a main slide being brokenaway to more clearly illustrate other portions of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2, parts of a key supporting sub-carriage and a main slide beingbroken away to more clearly illustrate other portions of the apparatus;and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating a cut key, with theoriginal key blank being illustrated in phantom.

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Apparatus constructedaccording to the present invention is mounted on a base frame F andincludes a cutter support post 12, bolted or otherwise suitably securedto the frame F, and journaling a cutter shaft 14. Fixed to the reduceddiameter threaded end portion 14a of the cutter shaft 14, by a nut 15,is a cutter wheel or disc 16 including circumferentially spaced cuttingteeth 16a, the sides of which converge radially outwardly to a cuttingedge portion 16b for cutting longitudinally spaced notches in a keyblank, illustrated in phantom at B. Fixed to the opposite end 14b of thecutter shaft 14 is a sheave 18, driven by a belt 20 trained around apulley 21 which is fixed to the output shaft 22 of a suitable electricdrive motor 23.

Apparatus, generally designated A, is provided for supporting and movingthe key blank B into engagement with the cutter wheel 16 and issupported for transverse movement on a pair of longitudinally spacedways 24 fixed to the base frame F. The apparatus A includes a main slide26 comprising a base member 26a having upstanding front and rear walls26b and 260 supported thereon and notched grooves 26d receiving the ways24. The main slide 26 is transversely movable toward and away from thecutter wheel 16 by means of a lever 28 pivoted, by a pivot pin 30, onthe frame F. An end portion 28a of the lever 28 is received in aretaining member 31 fixed to the base 26a of the slide 26. The forwardmovement of the slide 26 is restricted by a stop fixed to the base frameF to halt the forward movement of the slide 26 in the same position eachtime a notch is cut.

Supported between the front and rear walls 26a and 26b are a pair offixed guide rods 32 which are slidably received in bores 34a provided ina sub-slide or transverse carriage 34. Although the forward position ofthe main slide 26 is the same each time a notch is cut, the transverseposition of the sub-slide or carriage 34 is adjustable and for thispurpose the carriage 34 includes a threaded bore 34b therethrough forreceiving a threaded adjusting screw shaft 36 which is journaled inbearings 37 provided in the end wall 26b of the main slide or carriage26. An adjusting handle or knob 38 is fixed to one end of the screwshaft 36 for turning the screw shaft 36 about its axis.

Fixed to the screw shaft 36, adjacent the handle 38, is micrometer meansincluding a dial 39 having a plurality of graduations 40 about itscircumference for indicating the linear distance that the carriage 34transversely moves on the slide 26 when the handle 38 is turned. Apointer 41, fixed to the upper surface of the end wall 26b, is used as areference to gauge the distance that the dial 39 has rotated. If, forexample, the slide 34 moves a distance of 0.050 inches per revolution ofthe screw shaft 36 and if the dial 39 is provided with 50 graduations,then rotation of the dial 39 past the pointer 41 a distance equal to thespace between the graduations 40 will represent transverse movement ofthe carriage 34 a distance equal to 0.001 inches. The exact transverseposition of the sub-slide or carriage 34 on the slide 26 can thus beaccurately controlled to accurately preset the depth to which a keyblank B will be cut, as will be more particularly described hereinafter.

Another pointing member 42 is mounted on the carriage 34 and is movableinto alignment with a graduated scale 43 mounted on the upper portion ofthe end wall 26d. In the example chosen, the distance between thegraduations of the scale 43 is 0.050 inches. The scale 43 thus providesa relatively course measurement of the transverse position of the keyblank 34 relative to the cutter wheel 16 whereas the micrometer dial 40provides an extremely fine measurement of the transverse position of thesub-slide 34. The distance read on the scale 43 is a measure of thethickness d of the portion of the key blank B remaining between the baseb and the root r of a notch n cut in the key blank B.

To increase the accuracy of cutting, a compression spring S disposedbetween the wall 260 and the subslide 34 to constantly, but yieldably,urge the sub-slide 34 away from the cutter 16 and thus take up any freetransverse movement that may exist in the system. The sub-carriage 34includes a pair of horizontally extending portions 44 (FIG. 3)terminating in a pair of upstanding end walls 46a and 46b which betweenthem support a pair of fixed guide rods 48.

Mounted on the sub-slide 34 for longitudinal movement is a key blanksupporting slide 50 including longitudinal bores 50a therein forreceiving the guide rods 48 and a threaded bore 52 for receiving athreaded screw shaft 54 journaled in a suitable bearing block 56provided on the end wall 46a. An adjusting handle 58 is secured to theouter end of the screw shaft 54 for turning the shaft 54 about its axisto longitudinally translate the slide 50. A micrometer dial 60 is fixedon the shaft 54 and cooperates with an indicator plate 62 having apointer 63 which serves as a reference for measuring the linear movementof the longitudinal slide 50. The relationship between the screw shaft54, the dial 60 and the pointer 63 is identical to the relationshipbetween the screw shaft 36, the dial 39, and the pointer 41.

Mounted atop the longitudinal slide 50 is a vice or key-clamp member,generally designated 66, comprising a lower clamping block 67 and anupper clamping block 68 having bores 67a and 68a therein for slidablyreceiving a threaded shaft 69 fixed to the slide 50 and threadedlyreceiving a thumb screw 70. A pair of springs 71 (FIG. 3) are disposedbetween the blocks 67 and 68 to spread them apart when the thumb screw70 is turned out of the block 67 so that a key blank B may be insertedbetween the blocks 67 and 68 and clamped therebetween when the thumbscrew 70 is turned into the block 67.

Also mounted for longitudinal movement on the subslide 34 is a spacingmember, generally designated 72,

which comprises a spacing block 74 journaled, by pins 75, between a pairof end rails 76 which are fixed to opposite ends of a lower rail 77 andwhich threadedly receive a screw shaft 78 which is journaled, atopposite ends, by the end walls 46a and 46b.

The block 54 includes a plurality of faces 74a each having a graduatedscale thereon. The distance between the graduations of each scale aredifferent from the graduations of each other scale and are spaced atdistances corresponding to the distances most frequently used in cuttingkeys. An indicator 82 is mounted on the longitudinal slide 50 foralignment with the graduations of the selected scale 74a to serve as aguide in determining when the slide 50 has longitudinally moved theproper distance for the key blank being cut. A knurled end 80 isprovided on one end of the shaft 78 for facilitating the manual grippingthereof to turn the shaft 78 about its axis and longitudinally translatethe block 74 relative to the carriage 34 so that the left endgraduation, as viewed in FIG. 3, may be moved into alignment with theindicator pointer 82a of the indicator 82'. Each lock manufactureridentifies each lock and associated key with a code number which can beutilized by a locksmith to identify, from the previously mentioned codebooks, the number of cuts, the longitudinal spacing of the cuts and thedepths of the cuts to be made in the bit of a key blank to be cut. Thedepths to which the notches are to be cut are normally measured from theshoulder s of the key blank to the longitudinal center of the notchbeing cut. The relative positions of the parts is such that when thetranslating knob 58 is turned so that the key support slide 50 is movedinto engagement with the wall 46b of the transverse carriage 34, aradial line extending from the axis of the cutter shaft 14 through thecutting edge 16a of the cutter 16 substantially lies in the plane of theend surface 50a of the block 50. The longitudinal position of all codecuts are measured from a reference point comprising a shoulder s of thekey blank, the first cut being spaced a given distance from the shoulders and all remaining cuts generally being equidistantly spaced from eachother and the first cut a predetermined lesser distance. Since theshoulder s of the key blank B abuts the end surface 50a and since thecutting edge 16a lies in the plane of the end surface 50a, movement ofthe block 50 toward the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, a given distancealso moves an oppositely disposed shoulder of the key blank B relativeto the cutter 16 the same distance. This distance can, of course, beread on the micrometer dial 64.

Key blanks B are generally provided with a pair of shoulders s and s. Adouble shouldered key blank B is positioned between the clamping blocks67 and 68 with the rear shoulder s in engagement with the end surface50a of lower block 67. Sometimes, however, keys having a single shoulders must be cut. Since single shouldered keys do not have a shoulder s toabut the block 67, a key stop 84 is pivotally mounted on the upper block68 and is movable between an inoperative position, illustrated in chainlines in FIG. 2, and an operative position, illustrated in solid linesin FIG. 2, for abutting the front shoulder s (FIG. 1) ofa singleshouldered key blank B. This insures that the shoulder s of each keyblank is always positioned in the same location relative to the cutterwheel 16 when the slide 50 is translated to the far left, as viewed inFIG. 1.

THE OPERATION A key blank B is inserted between the upper and lowerclamp members 67 and 68 so that the shoulder s is in abutting relationwith the end surface 50a of the block 67. If the key blank has noshoulder s, the key stop 84 is swung from the chain line position,illustrated in FIG. 2, to the solid line position, illustrated in FIG.1, and the key blank B is positioned between the clamp members 67 and 68so that shoulder s is in engagement with the key stop 84. The thumbscrew 70 is then turned to tightly clamp the key blank B between theclamp members 67 and 68. The key stop 82 is returned to the originalchain line position at the rear of the block. If the key blank B isdouble shouldered, the rear shoulder s is positioned in engagement withthe end surface 50a of the clamping member 67.

The initial starting position of the key blank B is then adjustedlongitudinally by turning the spacing crank 58 for the translating screwshaft 54 until the longitudinal carriage 50 is moved into engagementwith the subcarriage wall 46b. The spacing crank 58 is then turned inthe opposite direction a partial turn to bring the zero position of themicrometer dial 60 into alignment with the pointer 63. In this positionof the carriage 50, the cutting edge 16]; of the cutter 16 is inalignment with the shoulder s and the plane of the end wall 50a. Thespacing crank 58 is then turned to move the carriage 50 and key blank Ba distance equal to the distance that the root of the first cut is to belongitudinally spaced from the shoulder s. If, for example, the firstnotch is to be cut 0.218 inches from the shoulder s, the spacing crank58 is turned clockwisely, as viewed in FIG. 2, four complete revolutions(0.200 inches) plus a partial revolution (0.018 inches). This will placethe center of the cutter teeth 16a at a distance equal to 0.218 inchesfrom the shoulder s of the key blank B.

Before the cut is made, the rotary position of the hex spacing block 72is adjusted so that the proper scale is adjacent the pointer 41. Forexample, if the longitudinal distance between the center of the notchesto be cut is 0.156 inches, that scale 74a having graduations spaced at0.156 inch intervals is moved adjacent the pointer 41. The longitudinalposition of the hex spacing block is adjusted so that the leftmostgraduation (FIG. 2) of the 0.156 inch scale 74a is moved into alignmentwith the pointer 41 on the indicating plate 82 by manually turning thehex spacing block knob on the shaft The depth adjustment of theapparatus is controlled by turning the depth crank 38 to turn the screwshaft 36 and move the carriage 34 transversely until the pointer 42 isaligned with the graduation, on the plate 43 which is nearest thedesired cutting depth. For example, if the desired depth of cut is to be0.325 inches, then the pointer 42 is aligned with either the 0.300 or0.350 inch mark. Finer adjustment of the carriage 34 is then made byaligning the proper one of the graduations 40 on the dial 39 with thepointer 41. For example, for a depth cut of 0.325 inches, the knob 38 isturned to move the key blank B away from the cutter wheel 16 until thepointer 42 is in alignment with the graduation mark designated 0.300inches. The depth crank 38 is then turned in the opposite direction tomove the key blank B toward the cutter wheel 16 so that 25 graduations40 pass the indicator 41, or in other words, the carriage 34 istransversely moved 0.025

inches in the opposite direction. The depth crank 38 is then swungbetween the solid line position, illustrated in FIG. 1, and the chainline position, also illustrated in FIG. 1, to move the key blank B intoengagement with the cutter wheel 16. The presetting of the carriage 34will dictate the depth to which the wheel 16 will cut. The wheel 16 willcut the blank B so that the depth d (FIG. between the root r of a notchand the back edge of the key bit is 0.325 inches.

The handle 28 is then swung in the opposite direction to return the keyblank B to the chain line position. It should be understood, of course,that a spring or other suitable means, could be connected between thebandle 28 and the frame F to automatically return the slide 26 when thehandle 28 is released. The spacing crank 58 is then turned to move thepointer 82a into alignment with the second leftmost graduation on thescale 74a. The depth crank 38 is turned to again preset the position ofthe key blank B according to the information in the code book. Thehandle 28 is then swung from the solid line position to the chain lineposition and the operation is repeated.

The majority of keys have notches cut with converging sides. Keys,known, as flat keys, are customarily cut with notches having sides whichare substantially parallel. The apparatus constructed according to thepresent invention can also be used to cut square notches in the keyblank B by merely replacing the cutter wheel 16, which has teeth withconverging sides, with a slotter wheel (not shown) having teeth withsides which are substantially parallel.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are inall cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles ofthe invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it iscontemplated that various changes may be made in various elements toachieve like results without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Key cutting apparatus for cutting longitudinally spaced notches inthe bit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a main carriage movably mounted on said frame;

a sub-carriage movably mounted on said carriage;

a key blank supporting carriage movably mounted on said sub-carriage;

a movable cutter on said frame;

means for transversely moving a key blank into and out of engagementwith said cutter comprising: means mounting one of said carriages forlongitudinal movement and the other two of said carriages for transversemovement toward and away from said cutter; and means for presetting,before the key blank is moved into engagement with said cutter, therelative longitudinal and transverse positions of said carriages andsaid cutter comprising: indexible means for longitudinally indexing saidone carriage a predetermined distance before cutting commences;additional indexible means for transversely indexing a first carriage ofsaid two carriages before cutting commences; and means, includingmicrometer means on said carriages and said indexible means, for gaugingthe relative linear movement of said one and said first carriages forpresetting before the cutting operation commences, the longitudinalposition of said key blank and cutter and the 5 depth of cut to be madewhen said key blank engages said cutter; 7 means for transversely movingthe other of said two transversely movable carriages to operativecutting position; and stop means for interrupting the transversemovement of said other of said two transversely movable carriages in thesame operative position regardless of the depth of cut to be made insaid key blank. 2. Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of longil5tudinally spaced notches in the bit ofa key blank comprising:

a frame; key blank supporting means for supporting a key blank; keyblank cutting means for cutting a key blank on said supporting means;means mounting said cutting means and supporting means on said frame forrelative longitudinal and transverse movement such that one of saidcutting means and said supporting means is movable relative to the otherof said cutting means and supporting means between a removed,inoperative position and key cutting position in which the key blank andcutting means are engaged at a key cutting station including: carriagemeans movable in a transverse to-and-fro path of travel between aremoved position and an operative position adjacent said key blankcutting station; sub-carriage means, mounting one of said key blankcutting means and said key blank supporting means, supported by saidcarriage means for longitudinal and transverse movement thereon; depthand longitudinal position control means for transversely andlongitudinally adjusting therelative positions of said cutting means andsaid key blank supporting means including means for longitudinally andtransversely adjusting the position of said sub-carriage means on saidcarriage means to preset, before the key blank and the cutting means aremoved into cutting engagement and while said carriage means is in saidremoved position, the relative longitudinal and transverse positions ofsaid key blank and said support means to predetermine the relativelongitudinal position of said key blank and said cutting means and thedepth of cut to be made in said key blank when said carriage means ismoved to said operative position and said cutting means and said keyblank are moved into cutting engagement; means for transversely movingsaid carriage means between said removed position and said operativeposition to move said one of said supporting means and said cuttingmeans in a cutting path of travel;

I stop means in the path of said carriage means for interrupting themovement of said carriage means in the same operative positionregardless of the depth of cut to be made in said key blank; and

means, including micrometer means, for gauging the relative transverseand longitudinal positions of said sub-carriage means and said carriagemeans to serve as a guide in presetting the relative positions of saidkey blank and said cutting means and to gauge the depth ofcut to be madein the key blank so that the depth of cut can be accurately con trolled.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein said sub-carriage means includes afirst carriage transversely movable on said carriage means and a secondblank supporting carriage longitudinally movable on said first carriage;

said position control means comprises rotatable means including a firstrotary member reaetable between said carriage means and said firstcarriage for relatively transversely moving said first carriage, andsaid carriage means, and a second rotary member reactable between saidfirst and second carriages for relatively longitudinally moving saidfirst and second carriages.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 including rotatable spacingcontrol means longitudinally adjustable on said first carriage andmounted for rotation about its axis to any selected one of a pluralityof circumferentially spaced positions, said spacing means including aplurality of rows of longitudinally spaced graduations, the graduationsof each row being spaced at intervals different from the spacingsbetween the graduations of the other rows, said second carriageincluding means cooperating with the graduations of the selected row togauge the distance said second carriage is moved between cuttings.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including screw means reactable between saidfirst carriage and said spacing means to longitudinally move saidspacing means relative to said second carriage.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 including non-rotatable graduation meanscooperating with said base and said first carriage for serving as aguide in presetting said first carriage.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said base is mounted for transversemovement on said frame, and said means for relatively moving saidcutting means and said base comprises means for moving said basetransversely toward and away from said cutting station to move a blanksupported thereon into and out of engagement with said cutting means.

8. Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of notches according to apredetermined code designating depths of cut at longitudinally spacedintervals along the bit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a cutting station;

movable cutting means for cutting notches in a key blank moved to saidcutting station;

carriage means mounted on said frame for movement transversely towardand away from said cutting means;

key blank support means for supporting a key blank longitudinallytranslatable on said carriage means to preset, before the key blank ismoved into engagement with the cutting means, the longitudinal positionof said key blank on said carriage means; endless spacing meansincluding a plurality of spaced graduated scales for measuring thelinear distance said support means moves longitudinally on said carriagemeans and being movable in an endless path to dispose a selected one ofsaid settles in measuring relation with said carriage meansg thedistance between the graduations on any scale being different from thedistances between the graduations on the remaining scales;

and means for presetting, before the key blank is moved into engagementwith the cutting means, the longitudinal position of the support meansand key blank, and successively longitudinally indexing the supportmeans a distance equal to the distance between the graduations on saidselected scale.

9. The key cutting apparatus of claim 8 wherein said key support meansincludes a pointer; said endless means being longitudinally translatablymounted on said carriage means; and rotatable means for translating saidendless spacing means longitudinally relative to said key support meansto align said key support pointer with one of the graduations of one ofsaid scales.

10. Key cutting apparatus for cutting longitudinally spaced notches inthe bit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a movable cutter on said frame;

means for transversely moving a key blank into and out of engagementwith said cutter comprising:

a main carriage mounted on said frame for transverse movement toward andaway from said cutter between a removed position and an operativeposition;

a sub-carriage supported on said main carriage for transverse movementrelative thereto;

a key blank supporting carriage mounted on said sub-carriage forlongitudinal movement relative thereto;

indexible means reactable between said main carriage and saidsub-carriage for indexing said subcarriage transversely on said maincarriage a predetermined distance;

graduated means on said main carriage and said indexible means forgauging the relative linear movement of said main and sub-carriage forpresetting, before said main slide reaches said operative position andbefore the cutting operation commences, the depth of cut to be made whensaid key blank engages said cutter; and

additional indexible means re'actable between said sub-carriage and saidblank supporting carriage for relatively longitudinally moving saidsubcarriage and said blank supporting carriage to preset the relativelongitudinal position of said cutter and said key blank.

ll. The apparatus set forth in claim 10 further including additionalgraduated means mounted on said sub-carriage for longitudinal movement,and being rotatable about its own axis to a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced positions relative to said axis, saidadditional graduated means including circumferentially spaced rows ofuniformly spaced graduations, the graduations of each row being spacedat distance different from the spacing of the graduation in every otherrow.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said additional graduated meanscomprises a spacing block longitudinally movable to a position in whichsaid blank supporting carriage is aligned with one of the graduations inone of the rows, said additional indexible means being operable to movesaid blank supporting carriage a distance equal to the distance betweengraduations of any selected row after each notch is cut.

1. Key cutting apparatus for cutting longitudinally spaced notches inthe bit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a maincarriage movably mounted on said frame; a sub-carriage movably mountedon said carriage; a key blank supporting carriage movably mounted onsaid sub-carriage; a movable cutter on said frame; means fortransversely moving a key blank into and out of engagement with saidcutter comprising: means mounting one of said carriages for longitudinalmovement and the other two of said carriages for transverse movementtoward and away from said cutter; and means for presetting, before thekey blank is moved into engagement with said cutter, the relativelongitudinal and transverse positions of said carriages and said cuttercomprising: indexible means for longitudinally indexing said onecarriage a predetermined distance before cutting commences; additionalindexible means for transversely indexing a first carriage of said twocarriages before cutting commences; and means, including micrometermeans on said carriages and said indexible means, for gauging therelative linear movement of said one and said first carriages forpresetting before the cutting operation commences, the longitudinalposition of said key blank and cutter and the depth of cut to be madewhen said key blank engages said cutter; means for transversely movingthe other of said two transversely movable carriages to operativecutting position; and stop means for interrupting the transversemovement of said other of said two transversely movable carriages in thesame operative position regardless of the depth of cut to be made insaid key blank.
 2. Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series oflongitudinally spaced notches in the bit of a key blank comprising: aframe; key blank supporting means for supporting a key blank; key blankcutting means for cutting a key blank on said supporting means; meansmounting said cutting means and supporting means on said frame forrelative longitudinal and transverse movement such that one of saidcutting means and said supporting means is movable relative to the otherof said cutting means and supporting means between a removed,inoperative position and key cutting position in which the key blank andcutting means are engaged at a key cutting station including: carriagemeans movable in a transverse to-and-fro path of travel between aremoved position and an operative position adjacent said key blankcutting station; sub-carriage means, mounting one of said key blankcutting means and said key blank supporting means, supported by saidcarriage means for longitudinal and transverse movement thereon; depthand longitudinal position control means for transversely andlongitudinally adjusting the relative positions of said cutting meansand said key blank supporting means including means for longitudinallyand transversely adjusting the position of said sub-carriage means onsaid carriage means to preset, before the key blank and the cuttingmeans are moved into cutting engagement and while said carriage means isin said removed position, the relative longitudinal and transversepositions of said key blank and said support means to predetermine therelative longitudinal position of said key blank and said cutting meansand the depth of cut to be made in said key blank when said carriagemeans is moved to said operative position and said cutting means andsaid key blank are moved into cutting engagement; means for transverselymoving said carriage means between said removed position and saidoperatIve position to move said one of said supporting means and saidcutting means in a cutting path of travel; stop means in the path ofsaid carriage means for interrupting the movement of said carriage meansin the same operative position regardless of the depth of cut to be madein said key blank; and means, including micrometer means, for gaugingthe relative transverse and longitudinal positions of said sub-carriagemeans and said carriage means to serve as a guide in presetting therelative positions of said key blank and said cutting means and to gaugethe depth of cut to be made in the key blank so that the depth of cutcan be accurately controlled.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein saidsub-carriage means includes a first carriage transversely movable onsaid carriage means and a second blank supporting carriagelongitudinally movable on said first carriage; said position controlmeans comprises rotatable means including a first rotary memberreactable between said carriage means and said first carriage forrelatively transversely moving said first carriage, and said carriagemeans, and a second rotary member reactable between said first andsecond carriages for relatively longitudinally moving said first andsecond carriages.
 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 includingrotatable spacing control means longitudinally adjustable on said firstcarriage and mounted for rotation about its axis to any selected one ofa plurality of circumferentially spaced positions, said spacing meansincluding a plurality of rows of longitudinally spaced graduations, thegraduations of each row being spaced at intervals different from thespacings between the graduations of the other rows, said second carriageincluding means cooperating with the graduations of the selected row togauge the distance said second carriage is moved between cuttings. 5.The apparatus of claim 4 including screw means reactable between saidfirst carriage and said spacing means to longitudinally move saidspacing means relative to said second carriage.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 4 including non-rotatable graduation means cooperating with saidbase and said first carriage for serving as a guide in presetting saidfirst carriage.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said base is mountedfor transverse movement on said frame, and said means for relativelymoving said cutting means and said base comprises means for moving saidbase transversely toward and away from said cutting station to move ablank supported thereon into and out of engagement with said cuttingmeans.
 8. Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of notchesaccording to a predetermined code designating depths of cut atlongitudinally spaced intervals along the bit of a key blank, saidapparatus comprising: a frame; a cutting station; movable cutting meansfor cutting notches in a key blank moved to said cutting station;carriage means mounted on said frame for movement transversely towardand away from said cutting means; key blank support means for supportinga key blank longitudinally translatable on said carriage means topreset, before the key blank is moved into engagement with the cuttingmeans, the longitudinal position of said key blank on said carriagemeans; endless spacing means including a plurality of spaced graduatedscales for measuring the linear distance said support means moveslongitudinally on said carriage means and being movable in an endlesspath to dispose a selected one of said scales in measuring relation withsaid carriage means, the distance between the graduations on any scalebeing different from the distances between the graduations on theremaining scales; and means for presetting, before the key blank ismoved into engagement with the cutting means, the longitudinal positionof the support means and key blank, and successively longitudinallyindexing the support means a distance equal to the distance between thegraduations on said selectEd scale.
 9. The key cutting apparatus ofclaim 8 wherein said key support means includes a pointer; said endlessmeans being longitudinally translatably mounted on said carriage means;and rotatable means for translating said endless spacing meanslongitudinally relative to said key support means to align said keysupport pointer with one of the graduations of one of said scales. 10.Key cutting apparatus for cutting longitudinally spaced notches in thebit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a movable cutteron said frame; means for transversely moving a key blank into and out ofengagement with said cutter comprising: a main carriage mounted on saidframe for transverse movement toward and away from said cutter between aremoved position and an operative position; a sub-carriage supported onsaid main carriage for transverse movement relative thereto; a key blanksupporting carriage mounted on said sub-carriage for longitudinalmovement relative thereto; indexible means reactable between said maincarriage and said sub-carriage for indexing said sub-carriagetransversely on said main carriage a pre-determined distance; graduatedmeans on said main carriage and said indexible means for gauging therelative linear movement of said main and sub-carriage for presetting,before said main slide reaches said operative position and before thecutting operation commences, the depth of cut to be made when said keyblank engages said cutter; and additional indexible means reactablebetween said sub-carriage and said blank supporting carriage forrelatively longitudinally moving said sub-carriage and said blanksupporting carriage to preset the relative longitudinal position of saidcutter and said key blank.
 11. The apparatus set forth in claim 10further including additional graduated means mounted on saidsub-carriage for longitudinal movement, and being rotatable about itsown axis to a plurality of circumferentially spaced positions relativeto said axis, said additional graduated means includingcircumferentially spaced rows of uniformly spaced graduations, thegraduations of each row being spaced a distance different from thespacing of the graduation in every other row.
 12. The apparatus of claim11 wherein said additional graduated means comprises a spacing blocklongitudinally movable to a position in which said blank supportingcarriage is aligned with one of the graduations in one of the rows, saidadditional indexible means being operable to move said blank supportingcarriage a distance equal to the distance between graduations of anyselected row after each notch is cut.